THE LETTER from Derek Wheatley (Chronicle, April 8) lists the appalling cutbacks being suffered by our borough's elderly thanks to Hounslow's Conservative-led council.

He may like to know that the contemptuous attitude of the Tories to senior citizens is contrasted by the care and expertise of his local Labour MP, Ann Keen.

Recently, I came home from my shift at Heathrow and switched on BBC TV's Parliament Channel to find a live broadcast of Mrs Keen addressing the House of Commons.

In her capacity as health minister, she was answering a question from Twickenham MP Vince Cable about the issue of care homes.

Mrs Keen went into much detail about this matter but essentially told Mr Cable that the rights of care home residents as consumers will be safeguarded and strengthened through an action plan which the Government is pursuing.

She pointed to the fact that recent legislation now requires that care homes must provide clear information on terms and conditions (including fees) before a resident moves in.

Admittedly this was an adjournment debate, but what a disgrace that not one Tory MP felt it important enough to attend. They had obviously decided to head home to their country retreats for their long weekends - free from the fear that poverty and old age might bring.

To Mr Wheatley and other elderly residents of Isleworth, I say this: you can at least be assured that for the next two years you will have an MP and a government that cares about your dignity and wellbeing. But beyond 2010, the future looks doubtful.